Weird weather watch: California heat wave

It almost goes without saying: It’s really hot in the Bay Area. As in, record-breaking hot. I went up to Crissy Field yesterday, hoping that by 5 o’clock the heat would be dying down and the ocean breeze would be kicking up. Not so. So I plunged into the bay, which was, indeed, icy cold. But then I remembered that if our weather heats up permanently, the water won’t be so cold, either.

Use fans while you’re in a room, but turn them off when you’re not. They only make the air feel colder.

Don’t use the oven or the dryer if you can avoid it.

Avoid short trips in the car if you are relying on air conditioning. The air uses a lot of gas, and by the time you get comfortable, it will be time to get out of the car.

Wear loose, lightly colored clothes.

Drink lots of water.

Finally, a quick word on why these shifts matter: Without the slow-melting snowpack of the Sierra Nevada, California wouldn’t have enough water to support its population. The unseasonable temperatures are causing the snow to melt more quickly, meaning more will evaporate, exacerbating the drought we’re also experiencing.

Here’s a proposal for helping generate public awareness of climate change. Even if you like the heat, talk about it in terms of “weird weather” or “record temperatures.”